US5345926A - Medical observation instrument - Google Patents
Medical observation instrument Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5345926A US5345926A US08/010,990 US1099093A US5345926A US 5345926 A US5345926 A US 5345926A US 1099093 A US1099093 A US 1099093A US 5345926 A US5345926 A US 5345926A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- observation sleeve
- observation
- distal end
- sleeve
- mount
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
- A61B1/07—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/227—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for ears, i.e. otoscopes
Definitions
- This invention relates to a medical observation instrument such as an otoscope which is used for observing the ear canal.
- an otoscope comprises an elongated grip member and an observation sleeve removably attached to a distal end of the grip member.
- the observation sleeve is inclined longitudinally of the grip member.
- a physician holds this grip member by the hand, and inserts the distal end portion of the observation sleeve into the ear canal for observation.
- a lug is formed on an outer periphery of the observation sleeve, and a distal end portion of a holding sleeve is attached to this lug by means of an adhesive.
- a basal end portion of the holding sleeve is removably connected to the distal end of the grip member.
- a lamp is mounted in the holding sleeve. Illumination light from this lamp is supplied to the ear canal through a bundle of optical fibers.
- the optical fiber bundle extends axially of the observation sleeve and is embedded in a peripheral wall of the observation sleeve, one end of the bundle is located at an end face of the lug of the observation sleeve and the other end is located at a distal end face of the observation sleeve.
- the observation sleeve since various instruments are inserted into the ear canal through the observation sleeve in medical treatment, the observation sleeve is easily soiled. Accordingly, it is desirable that the soiled observation sleeve be disposable, and a new observation sleeve is used for each patient.
- the observation sleeve thus constructed is expensive because the optical fibers are embedded therein and the lamp and the holding sleeve are attached to the lug of the observation sleeve, the observation sleeve is disposable.
- an instrument for observing an anus disclosed in FIG. 3 of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 46-27034 includes an observation sleeve made of a transparent material.
- a projection extending in an inclined direction relative to an axis of the observation sleeve is formed on an outer periphery of the observation sleeve and is integral with the observation sleeve. This projection is also transparent.
- One end of the projection is removably attached to a distal end portion of a grip member.
- One end of an optical fiber bundle is received in the grip member, and the other end is connected to a light source.
- Light from the light source is supplied to one end face of the projection via the optical fiber bundle, then passed through the interior of the projection from this end face, and then passed through a peripheral wall of the observation sleeve while being reflected by inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the observation sleeve, so as to reach a distal end of the observation sleeve. Since tiny irregularities are formed on an outer periphery of the distal end of the observation sleeve, most of the light is irradiated outside from the outer periphery of the distal end of the observation sleeve. In this Publication, it is described, in order to ensure reflection, that the surfaces of the observation sleeve may be metal plated.
- a medical observation instrument comprising:
- a body including a grip portion and a support portion disposed at a distal end of the grip portion, the support portion having a circular arcuate portion, a receiving hole being formed in that portion of an inner peripheral surface of the circular arcuate portion corresponding to the grip portion;
- observation sleeve removably attached to the body and extending in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the grip portion of the body, the observation sleeve being made of a transparent material, the observation sleeve including a mount portion of a circular section received in and removably attached to the support portion of the body, and a distal end portion of a circular section extending forwardly of the mount portion;
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an otoscope according to the present invention and a light source device;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the otoscope of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of a body of the otoscope viewed in the direction of III of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of an observation sleeve showing a process of an illumination light proceeding through of a peripheral wall of the observation sleeve;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of a modified otoscope according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of another modified otoscope according to the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is an exploded front view of the otoscope of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of a further modified otoscope according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of the present invention.
- an otoscope A comprises a body 10, and an observation sleeve 20 removably attached to this body 10.
- the body 10 comprises an elongated hollow grip portion 11, a neck portion 12 formed at a distal end of the grip portion 11 and extending longitudinally of the grip portion 11, and an annular support portion 13 formed at a distal end of the neck portion 12.
- an inner periphery of the support portion 13 is provided, in order toward the left, with a female screw 13a, a comparatively steeply tapered surface 13b, and a comparatively gently tapered surface 13c.
- the above observation sleeve 20 is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin, and has, as shown in FIG. 2, a frusto-conical configuration of a circular section. In other words, outside and inside diameters of the observation sleeve 20 are gradually reduced from the right-hand end of the observation sleeve 20 to the left-hand end thereof.
- An intermediate portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20 is provided as a portion to be mounted to the support portion 13 of the body 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "mount portion").
- a left-hand portion with reference to the mount portion 21 is referred to as a distal end portion 22, and a right-hand portion, as a basal end portion 23.
- An outer periphery of the mount portion 21 is provided, in order toward the left (i.e., toward the distal end of the observation sleeve 20), with a male screw 21a, a comparatively steeply tapered surface 21b, and a comparatively gently tapered surface 21c.
- the mount portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20 is inserted into the support portion 13 of the body 10 with the male screw 21a being threadedly engaged with the female screw 13a of the support portion 13.
- the observation sleeve 20 By threading the mount portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20 into the support portion 13 of the body 10 until the tapered surfaces 21b and 21c of the mount portion 21 are brought respectively into contact with the tapered surfaces 13b and 13c of the support portion 13, the observation sleeve 20 is removably attached to the support portion 13. Since the support portion 13 is in contact with the entire periphery of the mount portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20, the support for the observation sleeve 20 is stable. As shown in FIG.
- the body 10 is connected to a light source device 40 through a light guide 30 formed of an optical fiber bundle covered with a soft resin tube.
- a receiving channel 12a is formed in the neck portion 12 of the body 10 and extends axially of the neck portion 12.
- This receiving channel 12a is open to the tapered surface 13c of the support portion 13.
- One end portion (light emission means) of the light guide 30 is extended through the basal end portion of the grip portion 11 of the body 10, and received and secured in the receiving channel 12a.
- One end face of the light guide 30 is coincident with one end of the receiving channel 12a, and faced with the tapered surface 21c of the mount portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20.
- the other end portion of the light guide 30 is received and secured in a cylindrical rigid connector 35. This connector 35 is to be inserted into a housing 41 of the light source device 40.
- a lamp 42 and a concave mirror 43 are received in the light source device 40.
- Light from the lamp 42 is reflected by the concave mirror 43 in such a manner so as to converge at the other end face of the light guide 30.
- the light converged to the other end face of the light guide 30 is allowed to pass through the light guide 30, be emitted from the one end face of the light guide 30, and then be supplied to a peripheral wall of the observation sleeve 20.
- inner peripheries of the basal end portion 23, the mount portion 21, and the distal end portion 22 all of the observation sleeve 20 are provided respectively with tapered surfaces 23x, 21x, and 22x.
- the tapered surface 21x has the largest cone angle
- the tapered surface 22x has the smallest cone angle.
- An outer periphery of the distal end portion 22 is provided with a tapered surface 22y having a cone angle equal to that of the tapered surface 22x of the inner periphery.
- the physician holds the grip portion 11 of the body 10 by the hand and inserts the distal end portion 22 of the observation sleeve 20 into the patient's ear.
- an illumination light outputted from the one end of the light guide 30 is allowed to enter into the peripheral wall of the mount portion 21 through the tapered surface 21c of the outer periphery of the mount portion 21 of the observation sleeve 20, and then reflected by the tapered surface 21x of the inner periphery of the mount portion 21. Since this tapered surface 21x is steep, it totally reflects the illumination light from the light guide 30 and directs the illumination light forwardly of the observation sleeve 20.
- the illumination light reflected by the tapered surface 21x is passed through the peripheral wall of the distal end portion 22 of the observation sleeve 20 while being reflected by the tapered surfaces 22x and 22y of the outer and inner peripheries of the observation sleeve 20, and then irradiated into the ear canal from the distal end face 22a of the observation sleeve 20. More specifically, since an angle formed between an optical axis of the illumination light reflected by the tapered surface 21x and the axis of the observation sleeve 20 is small, an angle ⁇ (FIG.
- the cone angle of the tapered surface 21x is determined taking into consideration a refractive factor of a material constituting the observation sleeve 20 and an angle of incidence of the illumination light to the tapered surface 21c of the outer periphery of the mount portion 21, so that the illumination light outputted from the light guide 30 would be totally reflected at the tapered surface 21x and so that the illumination light reflected here would be totally reflected by the tapered surfaces 22x and 22y.
- the illumination light is diverged circumferentially of the distal end portion 22 of the observation sleeve 20 when it is totally reflected by the tapered surfaces 22x and 22y, the illumination light is irradiated from the entire area of the distal end face 20a of the observation sleeve 20.
- the physician can observe the ear canal by the illumination light output from the distal end face 22a of the observation sleeve 20. And various instruments are inserted, as needed, into the ear canal through the observation sleeve 20 in order to carry out a medical treatment. At that time, the observation sleeve 20 is soiled.
- the observation sleeve 20 After completion of the medical treatment, the observation sleeve 20 is turned to remove the threaded engagement between the male screw 21a and the female screw 13a, and the observation sleeve 20 is detached from the support portion 13 so as to be disposed. Then, a new observation sleeve is attached to the support portion 13 for the next patient. In this way, the soiled observation sleeve 20 is not required to be used again, and there is an improvement in sanitation. Moreover, the observation sleeve 20 has a frusto-conical configuration of a circular section, and does not have the optical fiber bundle for conducting an illumination light and does not have the projection, unlike the prior art. Accordingly, the observation sleeve 20 is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable.
- an outer periphery of a support portion 113 of a body 10 is provided with a female screw 113a and a cylindrical surface 113b.
- An outer periphery of a mount portion 121 of an observation sleeve 20 is provided with a male screw 121a adapted to engage with the female screw 113a and a cylindrical surface 121b adapted to contact the cylindrical surface 113b.
- a tapered surface 121x of an inner periphery of the mount portion 121 is more gentle than the tapered surface 21x of the above embodiment.
- one end face 30a of a light guide 30 is greatly inclined with respect to an axis of the light guide 30 so that an illumination light to be outputted from this one end face 30a would be inclined closer to the axis of the observation sleeve 20. Due to this arrangement, the illumination light output from the light guide 30 is totally reflected by the tapered surface 121x and then, the illumination light is totally reflected by tapered surfaces 22x and 22y of a distal end portion 22 of the observation sleeve 20.
- an inner peripheral surface of a support portion 213 is disposed on an imaginary circle, occupying an angle larger than 180 degrees ⁇ .
- An annular recess 221a is formed in an outer periphery of a mount portion 221 of an observation sleeve 20. The diameter of this recess 221a is equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of the support portion 213.
- At least the support portion 213 and preferably, a whole body 10 is made of elastically deformable resin.
- the support member 213 is rigid, and the observation sleeve 20 is made of elastic resin.
- an inner periphery of the mount portion 221 of the observation sleeve 20 is provided with a gently tapered surface 221x having a cone angle equal to that of the tapered surface 22x of an inner periphery of a distal end portion 22.
- one end face 30a of a light guide 30 is greatly inclined enough with respect to an axis of the light guide 30, an illumination light output from this one end face 30a is totally reflected by the tapered surface 221x of the mount portion 221 and then totally reflected by the tapered surfaces 22x and 22y of the distal end portion 22.
- a lamp 330 is used as light emission means.
- the lamp 330 is received in a receiving channel 12a formed in a neck portion 12.
- a grip portion 11 of a body 10 contains batteries 340 and is connected to the lamp 330.
- a reflection layer such as a metal plated layer may be formed on the tapered surfaces 21x, 22x and 22y reflecting the illumination light.
- the present invention is likewise applicable to other medical observation apparatuses than the otoscope.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Endoscopes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP4-057344 | 1992-02-10 | ||
JP4057344A JPH05220111A (en) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-02-10 | Medical deep part observing device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5345926A true US5345926A (en) | 1994-09-13 |
Family
ID=13052960
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/010,990 Expired - Fee Related US5345926A (en) | 1992-02-10 | 1993-01-29 | Medical observation instrument |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5345926A (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05220111A (en) |
DE (1) | DE4303756C2 (en) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5688224A (en) * | 1995-10-16 | 1997-11-18 | Precision Optics Corporation | Medical visualization device |
US5873819A (en) * | 1998-05-04 | 1999-02-23 | Koch; Craig S. | Pneumatic otoscope |
USD406339S (en) * | 1998-04-07 | 1999-03-02 | Nelson Stacks | Otoscope |
US5919130A (en) * | 1995-03-14 | 1999-07-06 | Welch Allyn, Inc. | Video otoscope |
USD423669S (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-04-25 | Bionix Development Corporation | Curette |
USD428489S (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-07-18 | Bionix Development Corp. | Ear curette |
US20060036129A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2006-02-16 | Francesco Sias | Rotating operating anoscope |
US20130150675A1 (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2013-06-13 | Lillian Folley | Transparent Speculum Apparatus and System |
US20140343394A1 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2014-11-20 | Fujifilm Corporation | Probe |
EP2734101A4 (en) * | 2011-07-18 | 2015-06-03 | Clearear Inc | System for accessing body orifice and method |
WO2020072822A1 (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2020-04-09 | Otonexus Medical Technologies, Inc. | Methods and devices for membrane characterization with ultrasound and optical illumination |
EP3512404A4 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2020-04-22 | Throat Scope Pty Ltd | An otoscope |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1009282A1 (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 2000-06-21 | MDI Instruments, Inc. | Inner ear diagnostic apparatus and method |
JP5971624B2 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2016-08-17 | 和彦 穴田 | hand mirror |
JP7273830B2 (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2023-05-15 | タスカー メディカル,インコーポレイテッド | Visualization device for parotid surgery |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2896611A (en) * | 1957-08-08 | 1959-07-28 | Welch Allyn Inc | Orificial instrument construction |
US3384076A (en) * | 1966-11-14 | 1968-05-21 | Propper Mfg Co Inc | Otoscope head |
JPS4627034Y1 (en) * | 1966-07-11 | 1971-09-17 | ||
US3698387A (en) * | 1969-10-07 | 1972-10-17 | Welch Allyn Inc | Otoscope construction |
US3766909A (en) * | 1971-07-20 | 1973-10-23 | A Ozbey | Laryngoscope with disposable blade and light guide |
US4685452A (en) * | 1984-04-18 | 1987-08-11 | Rudolf Riester Gmbh & Co. Kg Fabrik | Otoscope, with pivotally mounted loupe |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2683450A (en) * | 1952-06-13 | 1954-07-13 | American Optical Corp | Otoscope |
DE2925051A1 (en) * | 1979-06-21 | 1981-01-08 | Horst Lettenmayer | Medical examination or treatment instrument - has light source illuminating working area and clipped to instrument |
AU7695881A (en) * | 1981-10-29 | 1983-05-05 | Welch Allyn, Inc. | Medical instrument speculum having an antiglare coating |
US4766886A (en) * | 1985-05-17 | 1988-08-30 | Juhn Steven K | Method and apparatus for viewing and collecting specimens |
DE3618687A1 (en) * | 1986-06-03 | 1987-12-10 | Hermann Korte | Instrument for rectal examination and/or surgery |
FR2623078A1 (en) * | 1987-11-16 | 1989-05-19 | Rouviere Gilles | Family otoscope |
-
1992
- 1992-02-10 JP JP4057344A patent/JPH05220111A/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-01-29 US US08/010,990 patent/US5345926A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-02-09 DE DE4303756A patent/DE4303756C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2896611A (en) * | 1957-08-08 | 1959-07-28 | Welch Allyn Inc | Orificial instrument construction |
JPS4627034Y1 (en) * | 1966-07-11 | 1971-09-17 | ||
US3384076A (en) * | 1966-11-14 | 1968-05-21 | Propper Mfg Co Inc | Otoscope head |
US3698387A (en) * | 1969-10-07 | 1972-10-17 | Welch Allyn Inc | Otoscope construction |
US3766909A (en) * | 1971-07-20 | 1973-10-23 | A Ozbey | Laryngoscope with disposable blade and light guide |
US4685452A (en) * | 1984-04-18 | 1987-08-11 | Rudolf Riester Gmbh & Co. Kg Fabrik | Otoscope, with pivotally mounted loupe |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5919130A (en) * | 1995-03-14 | 1999-07-06 | Welch Allyn, Inc. | Video otoscope |
US5688224A (en) * | 1995-10-16 | 1997-11-18 | Precision Optics Corporation | Medical visualization device |
USD406339S (en) * | 1998-04-07 | 1999-03-02 | Nelson Stacks | Otoscope |
US5873819A (en) * | 1998-05-04 | 1999-02-23 | Koch; Craig S. | Pneumatic otoscope |
USD428489S (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-07-18 | Bionix Development Corp. | Ear curette |
USD423669S (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-04-25 | Bionix Development Corporation | Curette |
US20060036129A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2006-02-16 | Francesco Sias | Rotating operating anoscope |
US7611458B2 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2009-11-03 | Francesco Sias | Rotating operating anoscope |
EP2734101A4 (en) * | 2011-07-18 | 2015-06-03 | Clearear Inc | System for accessing body orifice and method |
US20130150675A1 (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2013-06-13 | Lillian Folley | Transparent Speculum Apparatus and System |
US20140343394A1 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2014-11-20 | Fujifilm Corporation | Probe |
US9662020B2 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2017-05-30 | Fujifilm Corporation | Probe |
US10231627B2 (en) | 2012-02-03 | 2019-03-19 | Fujifilm Corporation | Probe |
EP3512404A4 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2020-04-22 | Throat Scope Pty Ltd | An otoscope |
WO2020072822A1 (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2020-04-09 | Otonexus Medical Technologies, Inc. | Methods and devices for membrane characterization with ultrasound and optical illumination |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH05220111A (en) | 1993-08-31 |
DE4303756C2 (en) | 1995-04-27 |
DE4303756A1 (en) | 1993-08-12 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRINDMASTER CORPORATION, KENTUCKY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:NEWMAN, BRIAN D.;REEL/FRAME:006422/0854 Effective date: 19930128 Owner name: KABUSHIKI KAISHA MACHIDA SEISAKUSHO, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHIKAMA, TOSHIO;REEL/FRAME:006421/0477 Effective date: 19930125 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19980913 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RBS BUSINESS CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF RBS ASSET FINA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GRINDMASTER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:023355/0952 Effective date: 20090917 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIRST NEW ENGLAND CAPITAL III, LP, AS COLLATERAL A Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GRINDMASTER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:023401/0680 Effective date: 20090917 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRINDMASTER CORPORATION, KENTUCKY Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:RBS BUSINESS CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF RBS ASSET FINANCE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:034137/0017 Effective date: 20101020 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |